Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

“Of course.” Elizabeth smiles indulgently at Madison like she’s winning. “We should all get to be close friends since we’ll be seeing each other more often.”

Her gaze settles on me with interest. This bitch can’t take no for an answer. Right now, I have to play along, so I give her a small acknowledging nod. Just in case I need to go with plan B.

Pretending to even like Elizabeth will be the performance of a lifetime, but I’m up for it.

“Sara, it’s good to see you again. How’s your mother?” Elizabeth places her hand over Seth’s on the table.

He doesn’t pull away, but he doesn’t take it either. She’s forced to drape her hand over his fist. Her smile has an edge to it.

“My mother is doing well.” Sara glances at Noah with a smile before turning back to Elizabeth. “She’s having lunch with your mother tomorrow.”

“That’s nice.” Elizabeth really isn’t interested. She just wants to get under Madison’s skin by ignoring her. She won’t be able to ignore our next guests. As if she’s just now noticing the extra chairs, she turns to Seth. “Is Blake joining us? With an actual date this time? Or his sister again?”

The host opens the door and Leighton and Drew walk in. I couldn’t have planned it better. When she turns to see the newcomers, Elizabeth stiffens. Her smile freezes, locked on her lips. Her face pales and her cheeks grow pink.

“Lovely of you to join us, Leighton.” I stand and offer her the seat next to me. I nod to Drew. “Good to see you again, Drew.”

Nodding to me, Drew pulls out Leighton’s chair before sitting down next to Elizabeth.

“We thought it was time to clear all the air.” Seth draws his hand out from under Elizabeth’s and takes a drink of his water.

Before anyone can talk, the server comes in and fills everyone’s wineglasses with a Chablis before the staff brings in a green salad and sets the plates before us.

“I hope no one minds, but I ordered ahead so we wouldn’t waste one minute of our time together.” I give them the smile I’ve perfected over years of training. It’s beyond fake, but no one but those closest to me can tell.

Madison slides her hand over mine on my lap. I weave our fingers together, rubbing my thumb over the ring that states she’s mine to the world. The guys and Madison think I did it for the fake engagement, but I would have never put it on her if I intended for her to take it off. After that night at the benefit, I knew she was my future, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep her.

Putting a ring on it definitely doesn’t hurt.

“How thoughtful of you.” Leighton sits rigid in her chair as her eyes bounce around the table. “I was surprised to be invited, but maybe I shouldn’t have been. What game are you playing now, Coop?”

“No game, Leighton.” I take a sip of my wine. “We need to discuss a few things and make sure everyone understands exactly where they stand in my life.”

She shrinks just a little, but not nearly as much as I want her to. She’s been in my mother’s ear. If anyone posted that engagement announcement, it would have been one of these two women. They’re both bold enough to believe they could get away with it.

If it wasn’t them, it could be a warning shot from the stalker. He doesn’t like me claiming Madison. Well, fuck him. I want to end that fucker for putting Madison through his bullshit. At least I have the balls to claim her as my own. Not terrify her.

When the servers leave and shut the door, silence descends as we pick at our salads. I don’t bother with my food as I study Leighton, Drew, and Elizabeth. Elizabeth makes sure there’s plenty of distance between her and Drew. Leighton does the same.

Drew doesn’t seem to care about either of them. Neither woman really claims him, but he doesn’t appear bothered as he eats his salad and talks with Seth.

The women are nervous. They should be.

I don’t need to use the Graham name to make their lives hell. Though it would be effective. I’m happy to do it in person, instead.

“Drew.” I wait for him to lift his gaze. “We haven’t actually had a chance to get to know each other.”

“I don’t believe we have.” Drew’s voice is smooth as he leans back in his chair. He doesn’t have a care in the world, but he has two powerful women on his hook, and from the sounds of it, a fortune to back his future.

“How long have you and Leighton been an item?” I smile. I don’t really give a shit, but we’ve got to get the ball rolling somehow.

“Leighton and I have been dating for the past year now.” He reaches over and takes her hand. She gives him a smile I’ve seen millions of times. It’s her pleasant smile. She had the same training I did. How to always be on. How to make the right connections.

What’s interesting is she has the name and lineage a family like his can only buy into, but Drew hasn’t pulled the trigger on marriage yet. Or is Leighton dragging her feet?

And what’s with fucking Elizabeth? Her family doesn’t need the money, they want someone with my lineage.

“I’m surprised we haven’t run into each other more often.” I load my fork with salad but don’t lift it to my mouth. “After all, Leighton is best friends with my mother, apparently.”